Articles about GARDEN/OUTDOOR
Who Says Dreams Don’t Come True?
The Trophy Husband was suspiciously AWOL from our marital bed yesterday morning. I suspected he was dashing to Target to select a gnome at the behest of The Spawn. 
I was right.
A Long Weekend
With such gorgeous spring weather we’re having, take Friday off and head out for the weekend to the family-run Greer Farm, about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas in Daingerfield. Bet you didn’t know we had anything like this within driving distance.
La Cuesta Farm
This falls into the Who Knew? category. Beautiful goat’s milk cheese is produced on La Cuesta Farm, about an hour and a half outside of Dallas near Lake Whitney. Order online, or find their cheeses and other goat’s milk products in one of the groceries listed on the website. York Street Cafe and Parigi both serve their cheese.
Our New Issue Is Out
Our annual 2008 Best of Everything issue is now out. Read it online, but to see all the great photos, and full stories, buy the magazine. Don’t you just love this image? Peggy Levinson and Cliff Ellman found all of these sculptural outdoor pieces. [Photo by Jan and Ka Yeung]
The Sod Man Cometh
I like to do home projects, I just do. However, what I don’t like is probing accusatory questions from the Trophy Husband, such as, “Did you bite off more than you can chew this time? How much was your copay at the emergency room?” You know, stuff like that.
Don’t tell him, but…this time I did bite off more than I can chew.
I was feeling froggy last week, all a twitter about spring. I was going here, and there, and everywhere, choosing colorful annuals to punctuate my garden.
Lourdes, I’ll Take Two, Please…
Lourdes is my long suffering staffing sidekick for my little projects. The Trophy Husband sighed with relief as I finished unloading 360,000,000,000 plants and bulbs. (I used the money he’d been saving for his record label…)
Mike Modano’s backyard
On Friday we’re shooting Mike Modano’s backyard. I’m kind of nervous and excited about it, because he’s famous. The yard is charming, however. A nice guy named Jarod Cossell brought it to us. Cossell, who owns Earthquake Exteriors (what a name!), worked closely with Mandy Modano (a.k.a. Willa Ford) to design it, and it’s got a definite Italian feel to it, which she loves. Lots of wonderful fountains made from huge urns, and beautiful stone unearthed from a small quarry in Arkansas. You’ll get to see the Modano’s yard, along with the Modanos themselves barbequeing, in our July issue. Mike has promised us some of his favorite recipes. We figure they’ll go something like this,”Put steak on grill.”
We’re game.
Farewell, You Bunch of Pansies
When I lovingly plant pansies each October, I know this day will come. 
After all, They consipire and turn on me every April.  Therefore, I bid my pansies adieu, all 5,000 of them. I’m making room for a bevy of new spring plantings as we speak.  I have much more room than last year, though. Sadly, I lost 1600 snapdragons to aphids. Sound familiar?Â
Festive Fountain
The fountain at Armstrong and Preston has been revealed after being covered by an outhouse looking structure for a few months. It’s beautiful, shining white with hydrangeas, camellias and white azaleas. But, does anyone else think it looks like a wedding cake?
Nuclear Blast
I’ve really had it. Spider mites and aphids attacked my indoor palms and a large braided money tree four months ago. I tried everything organic to kill them, including soap spray and $80 mail order, microscopic “predatory mites” that allegedly feast on the buggers. All I got from that was a house full of corn meal — because you can’t see the things, the mites come packaged in corn meal so you can spread them around. I also tried spraying the plants with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water, from a recipe on the Internet. “It really works!” the gardening blogs exclaimed. All that did was burn the leaves. Soon after, everything keeled over and died, so I replaced them all a few weeks ago with big bushy plants from the Farmer’s Market. Again, they’re infested with mites and aphids. A few days ago, I thought I’d try something new: live ladybugs, guaranteed to keep aphids and mites under control, and be fun to boot. So, after a trip back to the Farmer’s Market, I released a package of 1,700 ladybugs onto my plants. Yes, inside. They immediately flew onto the draperies and onto the floor. Most of them died by the next morning, and the ones that didn’t are still flying randomly around. I’ve gotten sick of the whole thing, and only just got back from buying a bottle of real insecticide, the kind with a yellow warning label on it. It’s pointed at a plant right now. And I swear I’m going to use it.
An Evening with Neil Sperry
Texas horticulturist Neil Sperry is a household name in our backyard. Last spring, with the help of Calloway’s, we choose indigenous plants that returned strong this year, thanks to Neil’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening. Like perennials, his book comes up again and again as a solid reference. Meet the man behind the book, and the gardener’s voice on KRLD (1080 AM) since May 1980, at the DMA on Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Join him for Green Landscaping–Facts and Fantasies–and the latest trends in Texas gardening. Call 214-922-1826. $15.
POOCH PARADE Info
MORE THAN 150 PRETTY PUPS EXPECTED FOR 23rd ANNUAL EASTER IN THE PARK POOCH PARADE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT LEE PARK (more…)
Easter Sunday Means Pooch Parade!!!
Pampered poochies, celebs, outrageous costumes (I call this DIFFA for Dogs) and the absolutelt adorably funny Paul J. Williams… be there….
Home Tour in San Miguel Allende
The homes here are painted stucco and I’m told the painters mix the pigment on the spot, no chips from the Home Depot. Miraculously, they come back in a year and can match the paint perfectly — it’s an art. My visit here has made me re-consider building to the lot line. In SMA, homes are built to the lot line. You enter the door and walk into a glorious courtyard and garden in the middle of the home. This floorplan was devised centuries ago during the gold and silver rush for security so wagons loaded with commodities could pull in and be locked up for the night behind the front door and gates. I’d LOVE to have my backyard in the middle of my house!
Coming Up Roses (or Tulips)
It takes a day of Seattle weather to appreciate today’s sunshine. These tulips win the prize of my affection. I gasped when I saw them at the corner of St. Johns and Armstrong, and made Jessica pull over so I could smell and snap them. To the owner of this mid-century house, well done.
Thank God He’s a Country Boy
[Photo by Dave Shafer]
Paige Phelps, who used to be able to write for us regularly until she got a job at the News, is responsible for this recent lyrical story in our magazine about 20-something Chris Weisinger who cultivates antique and heirloom bulbs for a living. Every woman at the magazine has a crush on Chris, a quiet and God-fearing soul who probably would be horrified to learn this scary news.
Neil Sperry’s Garden Show
If Neil Sperry were a flower, he’d be a perennial. It simply wouldn’t be a planting or blooming season in Dallas without him, and I can’t remember a time when I didn’t hear his voice on the radio talking plants. Sperry’s All Texas Garden Show opens tomorrow, February 29, with some demonstrations, including Growing Orchids and Pet Friendly Gardens. Highlights of the complementary lecture series on March 1 & 2 include area experts discussing Absolutely Fantastic Azelas; Gardens that Work, Gardens that Don’t; Honeybees 101; and Texas Tough Plants.
Farrow & Ball Book Signing
B. Berger had a great turnout of designers for a presentation by Brian Coleman, author of “The Art of Color” featuring rooms by Cathy Kincaid. Local decorators Robert Hogue, Chris Redding and Jane Rejebian enjoyed Coleman’s talk about being a psychiatrist turned author - he has written 13 books on design. I’ve always thought there was a psychological link between why certain types choose certain colors and styles - like control freaks and black and white stark furnishings, or the bohemian mess with loud colors and lots of pattern. That’s the book I would like to read. This is his latest “The Intimate Garden” featuring gorgeous intimate spaces that really transport you to another place. Can’t wait to get it.
Re: The Blues
Todd’s right - Pantone’s color of the year Blue Iris is showing up everywhere. Check out the new models from Santa Barbara Umbrella - still the best outdoor umbrellas. They’re not represented here, so go to the website. I’m just not so sure about the lacy one - looks a little like a wedding cake
Bunny Williams Coming to Dallas
Designer Cathy Kincaid, chair of the DMA’s upcoming fundraiser Art in Bloom, has snagged the great designer Bunny Williams as the symposium’s guest lecturer. The luncheon event will be held on March 31 (for ticket info call 214.922.1249). Williams will talk about using floral and botanical elements indoors and out, a perfect topic since Williams owns the legendary garden design shop in New York, Treillage. So, when Kincaid offhandedly mentioned that Williams was interested in moving into the Dallas market, I immediately thought about Treillage.
When it rains, it pours. Dallas is also getting one of Austin’s most famous garden shops. We’ll tell you more about it in our March issue.
Gardens Opens in West Village Today
Austin import Gardens opened their doors this morning in the former Octane space in West Village. The verdict: my new favorite store. Sure they have garden implements, seeds, and spades, but they also have Mariage Frères teas; Geodesis room sprays, candles, and diffusers; Wiseman House chocolates; Olivina lotions; burled teak pieces; furniture; jade bowls; canned pickles; coffee table books; the list goes on. And on. It’s a one-stop shopper’s dream come true. I now understand how the Austin store has created such a faithful following. Flower lovers: They have the prettiest Rembrandt amaryllises blooming now. You heard it here first; this garden won’t be a secret for long.
Gardening for Fitness
I know, you can’t open a magazine this time of year without learning about a new way to get fit - we’re always looking for something easier than diet and exercise. But, here’s a new one that actually makes sense - doing everyday chores like gardening the right way can actually make you fit. Maybe you, but not me - I have a black thumb. It even gives a calorie burning chart, chopping logs for an hour - fast - will burn 1098.5 calories. Don’t cut off an arm or leg, that’s a bad way to lose weight.
RE: Dirt Testing
Loyd, my coupon says “Get $20 of free testing plus an additional savings coupon.” For a 1/2-cup sample from one area of your yard, it’s free. If you want to test other areas, which is recommended, they’ll accept the additional samples at “a nominal charge.” Either way, it doesn’t sound expensive, and in return, your garden will bloom like Eden. (They didn’t say that, but I inferred it.)
The Dirt on Calloway’s
I’m a big fan of Calloway’s, and when I receive coupon postcards, even more so. The current special involves dirt testing. According to the coupon, “Nothing brings success to your gardening as quickly as improving the soil!” If you stop by Calloway’s now, they’ll provide you with a free sample kit. Then they’ll send it off to the Texas Plant and Soil Lab for thorough analysis. Blame the rain or bemoan the heat, but share your dirt with them. They’ll understand. Just like an old friend commiserating over some gossip.
Best Outdoor Lighting
After perusing the many streets of the Park Cities, (in part to find my stolen reindeer), and excluding the energy factor, I’ve decided that the Tolleson family gets top prize for best outdoor holiday lighting. If you haven’t seen it, treat yourself to a drive through Volk Estates - you won’t miss it! Extraordinary. And who knows, maybe the whole thing is powered with LED bulbs.
A Taste of Autumn in Oak Lawn
A friend of mine with David Rolston Landscape Architects sent me this picture with a note:
Since I’m out and about during the day, I’ve been noticing all the maples, sweetgums, oak, etc and taking a few shots. For those who don’t believe in fall color in Dallas, I offer this specimen. This ginkgo tree is in full glory this week at Lee Park, Turtle Creek and Hall. They’re very tricky trees to do well here in Dallas, so it’s even more special. And it’s Frank Welch’s favorite tree, so this one’s for you, Frank. Spectacular!
Bad Bob Justice
With all this blogging about yard art, you have to consider the source. “Bad Bob” Justice is responsible for the carousel and train set that you see on the corner of Armstrong and Rheims. You know, the home that has the motto “if you can still see grass there’s not enough going on.” Read about it here. There are some great stories from Harold Hand about 10,000 unbreakable balls rolling down Armstrong and an angel made to look just like the woman of the house. So, questionable seasonal decor is not really a new thing - it just keeps getting worse.
The Grinch Is Back
But this time he’s stealing reindeer. Two from my front yard (this is what I get for succumbing to outdoor decorating pressure) and three from my neighbor’s. I would offer a reward, but think I’ll look for a big snow globe instead. In the meantime, if anyone drives by a bevy of wire reindeer - let me know.Â
Press Release Report
We get a lot of press releases. Sometimes we read them. Today, I will give you the scoop on two of my favorites. First up, why not give someone (presumably a troubled single female friend) an unusual coffee book? Dr. Travis Stork has written Don’t Be That Girl. Stork was the featured bachelor on The Bachelor: Paris and will be on Dr. Phil’s spinoff show. So, you know this dude knows what he’s talking about. Bonus: he’ll be signing books in Dallas on January 17. Also received something from Black & Decker. They have an environmentally-friendly line lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, and so on. Maybe you could pair it with the book for your friend.
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